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BAKER, Clara Alvina


With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear mother, Clara Alvina Baker,(nee Hartwig) at Menno Home, on April 9, 2013. She was predeceased by her husband, Carl in 2001 & son Jim, in 2002.

Clara was born in Kuroki, Saskatchewan, on 13 July 1923 to August and Emelie (Radke) Hartwig. She was the 9th child of 11 brothers and 3 sisters. She came to Abbotsford in 1943 working on pioneer Karl and Minnie Baker's 44 acre Raspberry Farm (now the home of the University of the Fraser Valley who named their student's residence, "Baker -House" in their honour). Clara married the Baker's eldest son, Carl, in 1944 and they spent most of their married life in Abbotsford.

Clara was a Special Lady, always caring for and about others. She was a devoted volunteer at Maplewood House for over 20 years, serving at luncheons, assisting residents on outings, calling Bingo, running the Tuck Shop and doing the resident's mending. She carried out these activities up to the age of 88 years with love and devotion. She also volunteered at M.S.A. Manor, Sherwood House and the Red Cross loan cupboard. She was a frequent visitor to people with mobility issues who were in need of a visit or a hug!


She is survived by her daughters, Shirley (Mike) Hewat of Williams Lake, Betty (Larry) Seebach and Sharon (Jaime) Toscano of Abbotsford; 5 grandchildren: Debbie, Tracy, Melanie, Bryan and Michael; 4 great-grandchildren: Kaylee, Stephen, Ashley, & Matthew. Also siblings: Tillie Baker of Surrey, Clarence (Barbara) Hartwig of Central Lake, Michigan, Harold Hartwig of Williams Lake and sister-in-law Margaret Baker of Abbotsford.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 2pm at the ABC Restaurant Banquet Room, 32080 Marshall Rd. Abbotsford. We would like to thank the Menno Home staff on West I for their loving care. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Menno Home Benevolent Society.



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